Today, just about every major automaker
that operates in the U.S. has a hybrid vehicle or has announced plans
to bring one to market. With the Detroit International Auto Show in
full swing, many of the announcements have come over the last week.
Earlier this week, Toyota unveiled the concept
car for a new hybrid that will be smaller and cheaper than the
Prius called the FT-CH.
Acura has also announced at the NAIAS
that it will be getting
a hybrid as well according to Autoblog. According to the
enthusiast site, the TSX or larger TL would make prime targets for a
hybrid system.
Honda says that it knows how to build
hybrids as well as anyone and points to the fact that it developed
the Honda EV Plus electric vehicle in the 1990's and sold the car to
individual users in California. As it is now, at the time the car was
introduced the battery technology was the limiting factor for full
EVs.
Honda's Tankanobu Ito said, "We continue to believe
that a fuel cell electric vehicle is the ultimate solution to reduce
CO2 emissions. A fuel cell car IS a full electric vehicle. But rather
than use electricity from the grid, a fuel cell vehicle generates
electricity on board and refills more quickly.”
Ito added, “The development cost must
come down and there must be a major expansion of the hydrogen fueling
infrastructure. But make no mistake. As a vehicle, the Honda FCX
Clarity is ready now. Further, Honda is unique in making long-term
investments to develop the refueling infrastructure for alternative
fuel vehicle."
Honda is also looking to go green at its
L.A. R&D center. The company will be installing a next-generation
solar hydrogen station at its R&D center. The system is designed
for the daily refueling of a fuel cell electric vehicle. The device
is sized to fit into the garage of a homeowner and the design
eliminates the compressor.
